23.

1. 'Now in case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu have committed two Samghâdisesa offences [&c., as before, in the first paragraph of the last chapter down to the end]. And he asks the Samgha for a probation of two months for that other offence concealed for two months. And the Samgha imposes upon him a probation of two months for that other offence

concealed for two months 1. That Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, ought to continue on probation for two months from that date.

2. 'Now in case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu have committed two Samghâdisesa offences, which he has concealed for two months. And he is aware of one offence, but of the other offence he is not aware. And he asks the Samgha for a two months' probation for that offence of which he is aware, concealed for two months. And the Samgha gives him a probation of two months for an offence concealed for two months. And whilst he is undergoing that probation he becomes aware of the other offence. Then it occurs to him,

Lo! I have committed two Samghâdisesa offences (&c., as in the last paragraph, down to) I became aware of the other offence. Let me now ask the Samgha for a probation of two months for that other offence concealed for two months."

And he asks the Samgha for a probation of two months for that other offence concealed for two months. And the Samgha imposes upon him a probation of &c. . . . for &c. . . . That Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, ought to continue on probation for two months from that date.

3. 'Now in case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu commit two Samghâdisesa offences, which he conceals for two months; and one offence he recollects, but the other offence he does not recollect. And he asks the Samgha (&c., as in the last section, down to the end, reading "recollect" for "be aware of").

4. 'Now in case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu commit two Samghâdisesa offences, which he conceals for two months; and of one offence he is not doubtful 1, but of the other offence he is doubtful. And he asks the Samgha (&c., as in the last section, reading "is doubtful" for "does not recollect").

5. 'Now in case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu commit two Samghâdisesa offences, which he conceals for two months; and one offence he conceals wittingly, but the other offence he conceals unwittingly. And he asks the Samgha for a probation of two months for those two offences concealed for two months. And the Samgha imposes upon him a probation of two months for those, two offences concealed for two months. And whilst he is undergoing that probation there arrives a Bhikkhu who is versed in the traditions, acquainted with the tradition, a custodian of the Dhamma, of the Vinaya, and of the Mâtikâs 2, clever, discreet, wise, modest, sensitive, willing to learn. And he speaks thus:

"What has this Bhikkhu, O friends, been guilty of, and why is he on probation?"

'And they reply: "This Bhikkhu, O friend, has committed two Samghâdisesa offences, which he concealed for two months; and one offence he concealed wittingly, and one offence he concealed unwittingly, He asked the Samgha for a probation of two months for those two offences concealed for two months. And the Samgha imposed upon him a probation of two months for those two offences concealed

for two months. Therein, O friend, is this Bhikkhu guilty, and therefore is he on probation."

'And he rejoins: "The offence which he wittingly concealed, O friends, for that the imposition of a probation is valid, and by reason of its validity it takes effect 1. But the offence which he unwittingly concealed, O friends, for that the imposition of a probation is invalid, and by reason of its invalidity it does not take effect. For this offence, O friends, the Bhikkhu is liable to a Mânatta."

6. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu commit two Samghâdisesa offences, which he conceals for two months. And one offence he conceals recollecting it, but the other offence he conceals without recollecting it.'

[Here follow the same remarks as in the last section, down to the end, reading 'recollecting it' for 'wittingly.]

Footnotes

412:1 This is merely repeated to lay a basis for the following variations. See below, chapter 25.

413:1 In chapter 34, § 1, ditthî, instead of nibbematiko, is put in opposition to vematiko.